Girl dies after fire at children's home in Shropshire

THE death is being treated as unexplained after the blaze started at around 11.30pm on Saturday.

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a 17-year-old girl in care died in a fire at a children's home.

The girl was killed in a blaze in a bedroom at the home in Bagley Marsh, near Ellesmere in Shropshire, where she had been placed by Walsall Council children's services.

Two adults also in the house at the time were unharmed.

The coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination into her death is due to be carried out today.

The house is run by private provider Bryn Melyn Care which looks after vulnerable children with complex needs.

It has launched an internal investigation, while Walsall Council is co-operating with fire investigators and the police to establish what happened.

Steve Nevitt, managing director of the care provider, said: "Everyone at Bryn Melyn Care has been devastated to learn of the death of a young person in our care in a fire at one of our children's homes.

"Our thoughts go out in particular to her family and friends, as well as the care, education and clinical staff who have worked so closely with her during her time with us.

"We have instigated a full internal review and will be co-operating fully with all the relevant emergency services and Ofsted to ensure this terrible event is investigated thoroughly and the cause of the fire established."

He said Bryn Melyn Care had been providing specialist residential care to "some of the country's most troubled young people" for 27 years, and this was the first time "a tragedy of this nature" had occurred.

Mr Nevitt said the company would make no further comment until the facts had been established.

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: "We would wish to express our deep sympathy to the family and friends of the young woman who died in a fire at Bagley Marsh residential home.

"The young woman was looked after by the local authority and was placed at Bagley Marsh, an independent residential provider in Shropshire.

"We are offering support to her family and working with the police and other agencies in the investigation."

A fire broke out at the home at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

Firefighters entered the bedroom and found the teenager inside.

Paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service treated her at the scene but were unable to revive her.

The girl's death is being treated as unexplained by West Mercia Police but nobody else is thought to involved.